The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Rust remover

Has anyone tried the t-9 rest remover ? Some of my parts are getting light surface rust over the last 17 months. I'm not ready for paint and or powder coating yet, i want to get everything done at once. Anyone with experience with this or anything better?

Hey 51 --- if all you need to do at this time is stabilize it and prevent further rusting, try a "Rust Converter". There are a number of brands on the market that are available at most auto parts stores. I've been using one by Quest Chemical called "Restore" that works like a champ. They are acid based and interact with the oxides (rust) and convert them to a stable organic compound that simply can't rust. The product above also contains a polymer sealer and is the only one I know of that does not require top coating. All the others are rated as a primer only.

Course, like Mr Fords Model T's, they are available in any color you want, as long as it is black.

A friend of mine says to wipe the bare metal panel with kerosene to preserve it and avoid flash rust. All of the kerosene needs to come off with a degreaser before any primer. I have not tried this, so it's just something I heard about.

Now this next part, I have done myself. I'm no expert, so do some research before you act on my comments.

I wanted to prevent flash rust on some body panels with fresh bare metal, so I used a product called Picklex 20. I have the MSDS for it if you want to see it. It's basically a phosphoric acid wash solution.

Anyway, you spray it on bare metal and scrub it around with a scotch-brite pad so that it's very thin. It will soak into small pores and convert light rust as well as preserve the metal from flash rust for at least a year if you keep the panel in a dry place.

The only real problem is that since it is an acid product, it is not compatable with etch primers (or any acid based primer for that matter). There are primers that ARE compatable, you just need to plan ahead.

My final plans for my panels are to select an epoxy primer and then re-sand or sandblast the panels if necessary in case of any compatability issues - but only if necessary.

The rust converters I have used will only convert rust that they come into contact with, but not the deeper layers. Therefore, all rust scale must be removed. If not, the surface rust converts to the black iron oxide coating as claimed by the product, but if you scratch below that surface, the rust is still there. To me, rust converters seem merely cosmetic and will not provide a lasting protection against rust.

I'm interested in hearing what experience others have had.

Working on an old truck for my cousin, and he bought a new, complete bed for it. While he's waiting on the painting, we took some boiled linseed oil and covered all of the oak boards as well as all of the metal with it by using a rag soaked in the stuff. I was told this is what the old timers used on their farm equipment to keep it from rusting, and without something on the oak boards, if they get wet, they'll turn black. Been nearly 6 months now and no issues wit it yet. Don't know what we'll run into when it comes time to prep for paint.
Tramp

Greetings;
I did not know much about rust converters and got advice from long time bodyman. POR 15, two coats, second one before first completely dries. Apply on both sides of metal when possible.
If there are no pinholes right through, O2 will be cut off and prevent further rust. We have used the POR 15 top coat primer but no experience on how other paints apply to it. cheers

I agree with your advice about POR15. However, POR15 is considered an encapsulator. It does not convert rust. Instead, it seals the rusty metal from air and moisture and prevents future rust. We all hate rust.

Rust converters do a different thing. They chemically react with rust to form iron oxide. However, I am of the opinion that they do NOT encapsulate or prevent future rust.

Someone please chime in here if I'm all wet.

I used CLR to get a ton of rust off my truck. With a Scotchbrite pad it even cut thru some of the heavier rust.